Netanyahu, ‘butcher of Gaza,’ should be tried for ‘war crimes’: Turkish President Erdogan

ISTANBUL

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should face trial for being a “war criminal,” Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said on Monday, slamming him as the “butcher of Gaza.”

“We are not going to let the issue of Israel having nuclear weapons be forgotten,” Erdogan said in his opening remarks at an Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) meeting in Istanbul.

Those who try to ignore deaths in Gaza by keeping silent, even to legitimize it under the pretext of Hamas, have no longer any words for humanity, he said at the 39th ministerial session of the OIC Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation.

“Israel is not only a murderer but also a thief,” said Erdogan, adding: “We cannot let Israel occupy Gaza once again.”

“There is a global structure that acts with will of a few countries. UN’s corrupt structure needs to change.”

The Turkish president said Islamophobia is spreading like an epidemic in the West.

Türkiye is ready to be a guarantor country for the peace talks between Israel and Palestine, he added.

“Gaza is a Palestinian territory. Gaza belongs to Palestinians and it will remain so forever,” said the Turkish leader.

“Those who invade Gaza will seek other places tomorrow. Gaza butcher Netanyahu revealed he has expansionist ideals,” Erdogan said.

The Israeli army resumed bombing the Gaza Strip early Friday after declaring an end to a week-long humanitarian pause.

Israel launched relentless air and ground attacks on the Gaza Strip following a cross-border attack by Palestinian group Hamas on Oct. 7.

The death toll from Israeli attacks on the Gaza Strip has surged to 15,523 since the start of the conflict on Oct. 7, the Health Ministry in the besieged Palestinian enclave announced on Sunday.

The official Israeli death toll stands at 1,200.

• Benjamin Netanyahu
• Gaza
• Recap Tayyaip Erdogan